DURBAN--The World Conference
Against Racism adopted a declaration Saturday
recognizing the injustice of slavery and colonialism
and the ``plight'' of Palestinians after nine
days of contentious debate and brinksmanship
that repeatedly threatened to unravel the gathering,
The Associated Press reported.
Compromises
on both issues were reached only Saturday morning,
a day after the conference had been scheduled to
end. Even as they accepted the compromise, Arab
states registered their reservations that the conference
would not directly condemn Israel for its treatment
of Palestinians, according to The AP.
After the conference declaration and program of
action were adopted about 4:40 p.m., Australia
and Canada said they were unhappy with final documents'
language on the Middle East conflict, The AP reported.
The Associated Press said that the gathering had
been envisioned as a historic opportunity for the
international community to create a blueprint for
fighting racial discrimination around the globe,
but became bogged down in disputes over whether
to provide an apology and reparations for slavery
and whether the document should condemn Israel.
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